Natural fertility treatments - Wokingham, Berkshire

Name: Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto
Brand: Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto
SKU: hd-local-wokingham-rg-40
Rating: 5 (228 reviews)

1. Overview

More and more couples are finding it difficult to conceive. Whether you are trying naturally, have received a fertility diagnosis or are preparing for IVF, there are effective natural fertility treatments that can significantly improve your chances of having a baby.

I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto, a fertility specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). I have helped hundreds of couples conceive — including women with PCOS, endometriosis, low AMH, elevated FSH and recurrent miscarriage, men with low sperm count and male infertility, and couples who had experienced repeated IVF failure. I am the author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide, and have published research on fertility in peer-reviewed journals.

I treat both partners. Male factor infertility is involved in approximately 40–50% of all cases of infertility, yet it is often underinvestigated. Addressing sperm quality and male hormone health alongside the female partner's treatment consistently produces better outcomes for the couple.

Treatments are available in person at my Wokingham, Berkshire clinic and online via Zoom for patients throughout the UK and internationally. View treatment prices.

2. Fertility acupuncture

Fertility acupuncture is one of the most evidence-based complementary treatments available for male and female infertility. Research has shown that acupuncture is twice as effective as western fertility drugs for certain conditions — and without the side effects associated with those drugs. There are now hundreds of published research articles proving that acupuncture increases both male and female fertility.

Acupuncture improves fertility by:

Regulating reproductive hormones including FSH, LH, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone
Increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, improving the follicular environment and endometrial lining
Supporting and regulating ovulation
Improving egg quality over the 90–120 day follicular maturation period
Improving sperm count, motility and morphology in men
Reducing the stress and anxiety that negatively affect conception
Supporting implantation of the embryo into the uterus lining
Reducing uterine contractions that can dislodge an embryo after transfer

More than half of the patients I see in my clinic are trying to conceive naturally. Acupuncture is also used as a highly effective adjunct to IVF — see IVF acupuncture below. I recommend beginning fertility acupuncture at least three months before a planned conception attempt or IVF cycle, to allow the full treatment effect on egg and sperm quality to develop.

3. Chinese herbal medicine

As a qualified Chinese herbalist and member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), I often prescribe individually tailored herbal formulae alongside acupuncture for male and female fertility conditions. Chinese herbal medicine for fertility addresses the underlying constitutional imbalance identified through TCM diagnosis, and can produce significant improvements in conditions that western medicine finds difficult to treat.

Chinese herbal medicine can help with:

Regulating the menstrual cycle and improving cycle quality
Improving egg quality and ovarian reserve
Reducing elevated FSH levels
Treating PCOS, endometriosis and amenorrhoea
Improving male sperm count, motility and morphology
Increasing testosterone levels naturally in men
Supporting implantation and reducing miscarriage risk
Providing additional support throughout an IVF cycle

Herbs are prescribed as pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten (Taiwan), meeting strict quality and safety standards. They are taken dissolved in hot water twice daily and are safe to use alongside conventional fertility treatment. Herbal prescriptions can be posted to patients following an online consultation.

4. IVF acupuncture

IVF acupuncture involves acupuncture treatment timed to each phase of an IVF or ICSI cycle to improve its success rates. A meta-analysis of 25 randomised controlled trials found that acupuncture raised clinical pregnancy rates from 33.2% to 43.6% and live birth rates from 28.7% to 38.0% in women undergoing IVF. Research has also shown that combining acupuncture with Chinese herbs for three months before starting an IVF cycle significantly increases the pregnancy rate — and some patients in the preparation phase conceive naturally before their cycle begins.

My IVF acupuncture protocol covers every stage of the cycle:

Preparation (3 months before IVF): weekly acupuncture and Chinese herbs to improve egg quality, hormone levels and the uterine environment before stimulation begins
Downregulation (long protocol): weekly acupuncture to manage symptoms and maintain hormonal balance
Ovarian stimulation: twice-weekly acupuncture to support follicle development and improve the ovarian response to stimulation drugs
Day of embryo transfer: acupuncture before and after transfer to increase blood flow to the uterus, reduce uterine contractions and reduce anxiety
Two-week wait: at least two sessions to support implantation and emotional wellbeing
Early pregnancy: continued acupuncture to reduce miscarriage risk, ideally to 20 weeks

I also offer specialist protocols for frozen embryo transfer (FET) and donor egg and donor embryo cycles. Out-of-hours appointments on the day of embryo transfer are available when required.

5. Fertility coaching

Fertility coaching provides personalised expert guidance for couples navigating fertility difficulties. During a coaching consultation I take a full fertility history, review your test results, explain your diagnosis in plain language, identify what may be preventing conception and advise on the most effective treatment strategy — both conventional and TCM.

Fertility coaching is particularly valuable for:

Couples who have received a fertility diagnosis and are unsure what to do next
Those who feel uncertain about which fertility clinic or fertility treatment to choose
Couples preparing for IVF who want to optimise their chances before starting
Those who have experienced repeated IVF failure and want to understand why
Women over 40 who have been told their fertility options are limited

Fertility coaching is available in person at my Wokingham clinic and online, and can be combined with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

6. Online fertility consultations

I offer online fertility consultations via Zoom for patients throughout the UK and internationally who cannot attend my Wokingham clinic in person. During an online consultation I take a full case history, review test results, assess your fertility from both a western and TCM perspective and create a tailored treatment plan.

Chinese herbal medicine can be prescribed and posted to you following an online consultation, making it possible to receive a full course of herbal treatment without attending in person. Online consultations are particularly suited to patients with hormonal conditions such as elevated FSH, low AMH, irregular cycles and male infertility, where herbal medicine and dietary guidance form the primary treatment.

7. Fertility tests

I can arrange a range of fertility tests through my clinic, including hormone blood tests (FSH, LH, AMH, oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone), semen analysis and other investigations. Testing both partners at the outset gives a clear picture of where the fertility problem lies and allows me to design the most targeted treatment plan. See the fertility tests price list for details.

8. Frequently asked questions

How does acupuncture help with infertility?

Acupuncture improves fertility through multiple mechanisms: regulating reproductive hormones, increasing blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, improving egg and sperm quality, reducing the physiological effects of stress and anxiety, and supporting the immune environment for successful implantation. There are now hundreds of published research articles demonstrating these effects. View the full fertility acupuncture FAQ page ›

How long does acupuncture take to improve fertility?

Because the egg takes 90–120 days to mature, the full benefit of acupuncture on egg quality takes three to four months to develop. Improvements to cycle regularity and hormonal balance are typically seen within two to three cycles. For male sperm quality, new sperm take approximately 74 days to mature, so a minimum of three months of treatment is recommended before reassessing with a semen analysis.

How often should I have acupuncture for fertility?

Typically once a week, adjusted according to the phase of the menstrual cycle. During IVF ovarian stimulation, twice-weekly treatment is recommended. On the day of embryo transfer, acupuncture is ideally given both before and after the procedure. Read more about frequency of treatment ›

Can I have acupuncture alongside IVF or other fertility drugs?

Yes. Acupuncture is safe to use alongside IVF, ICSI, clomiphene, letrozole and other assisted reproductive technologies. Chinese herbal medicine is compatible with most fertility treatments; always discuss your full list of medications with me so that the herbal prescription can be appropriately coordinated with any prescribed fertility medication.

Do you treat unexplained infertility?

Yes. Unexplained infertility is one of the most common presentations in my clinic. TCM can often identify imbalances that western medicine cannot detect — such as subtle hormonal irregularities, poor circulation to the reproductive organs or constitutional deficiencies — and treat them effectively with acupuncture and herbal medicine.